The Santiago Trade School in Silverado has created the new Our Lady of Pillar Council.
GETTING TO KNOW JOAN PATTEN
The delegate for Consecrated Life at the Diocese of Orange answers questions about her vocation.
LETTING JESUS LOOK AT YOU
St. Ignatius of Loyola shares a way to connect with God for prayer.
ORANGE COUNTY CATHOLIC MISSION STATEMENT
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AROUND CAMPUS
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Donors: Stephen and Cathy Muzzy. If you are interested in learning about additional naming opportunities for yourself, a loved one or a special occasion on Christ Cathedral’s campus, contact the Orange Catholic Foundation at (714) 282- 3021 or info@OrangeCatholicFoundation.org C
“ The Lord does not work miracles with those who consider themselves righteous, but with those who know themselves needy.” — Pope Francis
STORIES OF THIS SAINT made him a well-loved figure in the Middle Ages. Saint-Gilles in southern France, where he built a monastery, was a popular place of pilgrimage. Legend says Giles was Athenian by birth, generous with his family’s wealth, cured a sick beggar by giving him his cloak, and lived as a hermit. After his death he was celebrated for many miracles and named patron of the lame, beggars and blacksmiths. He is one of the 14 Holy Helpers, saints known for response to prayers of petition, especially for the sick.C
SUNDAY IS 35:4-7A; PS 146:6-7, 8-9, 9-10; JAS 2:1-5; MK 7:3137
PHOTO BY JOSHUA SUDOCK/DIOCESE OF ORANGE
RAISING THE BAR
JUDGE MAURICE SANCHEZ MADE HISTORY AS THE FIRST LATINO AND PERSON OF COLOR TO SERVE ON THE APPELLATE COURT BENCH IN ORANGE COUNTY
BY LOU PONSI
GROWING UP IN Santa Ana, Maurice Sanchez recalled his mother encouraging her youngest of four children to become either an accountant, an attorney or a priest.
Sanchez — a product of Orange County Catholic schools — chose law as a career, honoring his mother’s wishes. In fact, not only did Sanchez choose law, but he also made history in the process.
In January 2022, Sanchez was unanimously confirmed as associate justice of California’s 4th District Court of Appeal, Division three, becoming the first Latino and first person of color to serve on the appellate court bench in Orange County in its 40 years of existence.
Governor Gavin Newsom nominated Sanchez for the position three months earlier.
The Judicial Nominees Evaluation Commission on Judicial Appointments voted unanimously to confirm his appointment, rating Sanchez as “exceptionally well qualified,” the commission’s highest rating.
“A lot of pride, a lot of pride,” Sanchez said of his appointment. “I’ve spoken at high school commencements. I’ve spoken at a UC Irvine commencement, and they always introduce me like that. We have (Latino) representation on the bench, and that’s an important thing. And it gives a lot of credibility and hope and inspiration for younger children
and on up.”
The child of Mexican immigrants, Sanchez was born in the city of Orange and attended Our Lady of the Pillar School in Santa Ana, which is no longer in operation.
Sanchez was only 8 years old when his father died, and his mother struggled to earn enough money to be able to send her son to Mater Dei Catholic High School.
“She thought education was the most
important thing,” Sanchez said. “And she encouraged us to do well in school and pursue education as far as we could. So, all of my siblings and I owe that to her.” Sanchez graduated from Mater Dei in
JUDGE MAURICE SANCHEZ IS PICTURED INSIDE THE SANTA ANA COURTHOUSE ON AUG. 12. PHOTO BY STEVE GEORGES/DIOCESE OF ORANGE
CONTINUED FROM PAGE 5
1974 and went on to earn a Bachelor of Arts Degree from UC Irvine in 1978. He earned his Juris Doctorate from UC Berkeley in 1981 and spent the next 37 years working in private practice for prestigious law firms and as an in-house attorney for a large corporation.
In 1993, Sanchez went into practice with a start-up law firm that became known as Alvarado, Smith & Sanchez, which become the largest Latino-owned law firm in Southern California.
Sanchez’s wife, Teri, has been alongside her husband throughout his career.
The high school sweethearts have been married since 1980 and have three children. They are both active in their Orange County parish.
Sanchez submitted his judicial application in 2018 and was appointed by then Governor Jerry Brown to the Orange County Superior Court that same year.
The justice served on the Family Law panel for three years, an appointment that is sometimes considered a steppingstone for new judges before receiving a higher-profile appointment.
But Sanchez relished his time on the Family Law panel and was told early on by a colleague on the Family Law bench that the appointment is ideal for a practicing Catholic.
“He said, ‘You know, you can do a lot of good. You can try to help children,’” Sanchez said. “’Sometimes parents need a little help figuring things out. And you
Those include the Orange County Hispanic Bar Association Lifetime Achievement Award, UC Irvine Lauds and Laurels Award and the Orange County Register’s List of 125 Most Influential People – 2023.
He has also served several charities.
Olive Crest, a Santa Ana nonprofit providing services for abused children in Orange County and the western United States, is among the charities closest to his heart.
Justice Kathleen O’Leary, presiding justice of the California Court of Appeal, Fourth Appellate District, Division Three, was among Sanchez’s peers who spoke on his behalf in front of the Judicial Nominees Evaluation Commission.
O’Leary recognized his passion for his position as a family law judge earn on.
“When I spoke to Sanchez months after his appointment, I asked how he liked family law,” O’Leary said. “I fully expected an answer along the lines of, well, it’s only for two or three years because that’s generally what judges say when they’re assigned to an area that doesn’t line up with their expertise. But Judge Sanchez said he was very happy in family law. He admitted it was a steep learning curve, having never practiced in the area, but he said he thought he was in the right place.”
can help them in that way. And if that’s your mindset, you can do a lot of good. That’s something that a Catholic should want to do.”
Sanchez said he embraced his deeply ingrained spiritual principles during his service on the Family Law panel.
“It’s not an easy assignment,” he said. “There are a lot of emotions. But every once in a while, you get a really good feeling like I did something that helped this family. So, if you can help them or at least try to help them think about their children. And you know, if they look at it that way, it can be a little better. It’s still hard. It’s a hard situation.”
Sanchez has received numerous awards recognizing his service on the bench.
Judge Julie Palafox, who served with Sanchez on the Family Law bench, also addressed the commission to speak in favor of colleague’s appointment to the appellate court.
“I can personally attest Judge Sanchez is exceptionally qualified, thoughtful, tireless, collegial and a very patient judicial officer,” Palafox said. “I stand here today to encourage you to confirm Judge Sanchez’s nomination, because I know he will be a respected, productive, thoughtful and valued member of the Court of Appeal, not because he is well-prepared and ready, which he is, and not because he writes with weighted clarity and thoughtfulness, which he does, but because he is a devoted and favored son of this community.” C
JUDGE MAURICE SANCHEZ GRADUATED FROM MATER DEI HIGH SCHOOL IN 1974. PHOTO BY STEVE GEORGES/DIOCESE OF ORANGE
JSERRA HOSTS ADELANTE FEST
HIGHLIGHTS INCLUDED AN INTERVIEW WITH JONATHAN ROUMIE, WHO PLAYS JESUS IN “THE CHOSEN”
BY LOU PONSI
WHEN JSERRA CATHOLIC
High School was founded in 2003, its founders chose to name the new coeducational institution after St. Junípero Serra, the recently canonized Franciscan priest who established missions along the California coast.
Among them is Mission San Juan Capistrano, which is a just over a mile away from the school’s campus.
JSerra’s founders were aware of St. Serra’s credo, “Siempre Adelante, Nunca Atras,” which means, “Always forward, never backward.”
Inspired by its patron saint’s mission to go forward and bring the Gospel to as many people as possible, JSerra held its inaugural Adelante Fest in March 2023.
Despite cold temperatures and rain, many attended the event.
JSerra continued surging forward with its second Adelante Fest on Aug.17.
Well over 1,000 celebrants filled the gymnasium in the JSerra Pavilion for a vigil Mass before relocating to the adjacent field for an evening of family friendly activities that included live music, games, inflatables and food trucks.
Speaking to the crowd from the outdoor stage, JSerra president Rich Meyer said the Adelante Fest will grow to become an annual tradition.
“We encourage you to continue to invite friends, families and neighbors,” Meyer said. “Bring them into the community here. We believe that JSerra was founded 20 years ago, not just for our students and our parents, but really to be a witness for
our entire country to be forces, to help graduate forces for good in society that will continue to move culture forward so that in many ways we can Christianize America and bring holiness in every corner of the world.”
The highlight of the Adelante Fest was an onstage interview with actor, producer and director, Jonathan Roumie, who plays the role of Jesus in the historical series, “The Chosen.”
Conducting the interview was author, speaker and podcaster Lila Rose, a staunch anti-abortion activist, who was 15 when she founded the prolife nonprofit
Live Action.
Roumie was also interviewed by Patrick Reidy, JSerra’s vice president of Mission and Faith, for the school’s podcast, “Plugged In.”
A devout Catholic, Roumie talked in detail about his reconversion to Catholicism, which came when he was struggling financially and at a low point in his career. During this time, he was contacted by producer Dallas Jenkins, about playing Jesus in his new series.
“I felt I knew that God had given me artistic gifts for a reason,” Roumie told Reidy. “Even though I didn’t quite see where it
was going to take me. I grew to get used to it and realized it was a beautiful means of expression, of human expression and telling other people’s stories. And ultimately, quite literally, telling God’s story, that it would be a sin if I wasted the gifts that God gave me.”
Students in the National Honor Society were among several JSerra students who volunteered for Adelante.
Student volunteer Caroline Powell, who only recently transferred to JSerra, was attending Adelante for the first time.
“Oh, it’s awesome,” Powell said. “The energy around here is great. There are tons of people. It’s fun seeing all my friends. It’s a nice way to just grow the community and it’s a nice way for us students when we’re
LILA ROSE’S ONSTAGE INTERVIEW WITH ACTOR JONATHAN ROUMIE WAS A HIGHLIGHT OF THE ADELANTE FEST AT JSERRA CATHOLIC HIGH SCHOOL ON AUG. 17. PHOTO BY FRANCO WATTS, JSERRA CATHOLIC HIGH SCHOOL
SCHOOLS
not in school, get to know each other and hang out.”
Roumie’s onstage interview with Rose and the podcast interview with Reidy are both posted on JSerra’s YouTube channel.
Reidy said Roumie’s journey is an embodiment of the lessons JSerra tries to impart on its students that transcend beyond the classroom.
“We want our graduates to walk away knowing professional aptitude is of absolute importance,” Reidy said. “You should strive to be excellent and be the best at what you’re doing. But that’s not enough. At the end of the day, no matter what you do, what your job is - it is not the most important. Who you are is what’s most important. Knowing, having an encounter with Jesus, giving your life to him, loving him is most important.” C
MASS WAS CELEBRATED IN THE PAVILION AT JSERRA CATHOLIC HIGH SCHOOL TO KICK OFF THE SCHOOL’S SECOND ANNUAL ADELANTE FEST. PHOTO BY JOE LATTER, JSERRA CATHOLIC HIGH SCHOOL
JSERRA CATHOLIC HIGH SCHOOL’S SECOND ANNUAL ADELANTE FEST ON AUG. 17 DREW OVER1,000 ATTENDEES.
PHOTO BY LOU PONSI/DIOCESE OF ORANGE
KNIGHTS OF COLUMBUS CHARTERS A NEW COUNCIL AT SANTIAGO TRADE SCHOOL
OUR LADY OF PILLAR COUNCIL WILL PROMOTE FAITH AND SERVICE
BY MAYRA BROWN
LAST MONTH, THE SANTIAGO Trade School announced the chartering of a new Knights of Columbus council, called the Our Lady of Pillar Council, at the Santiago Retreat Center under the leadership of Sir Knights Jeffry Rice and Mark Padilla. This significant development is set to enhance the spiritual and community life of the school and the surrounding area.
The Our Lady of Pillar Council will be dedicated to supporting the mission of the Santiago Trade School, a unique institution that combines rigorous trade education with strong Catholic values. The council will also serve the broader Santiago Retreat Center community, offering a vital resource for faith formation, service and fellowship.
“We are thrilled to welcome the Knights of Columbus to our campus,” said Mark McElrath, executive director at Santiago Retreat Center. “Their commitment to charity, unity, fraternity and patriotism aligns perfectly with our values. This new council will provide our students and the local community with even more opportunities to grow in their faith and serve others.”
The Santiago Trade School, exclusively for men, offers a comprehensive two-year residential program. Its curriculum includes nine months of instruction, room and board, tools and materials, all designed to prepare students for successful careers while fostering spiritual growth. The new Knights of Columbus council will integrate seamlessly into this environment, promoting initiatives that support both personal and professional development.
Mark Padilla, who heads the Santiago Trade School, expressed his enthusiasm for the new council.
“The Knights of Columbus have a rich history of service and faith-based initiatives,” he said. “Our Lady of Pillar Council will be a cornerstone of our community, providing essential support for our programs and helping to deepen the spiritual life of everyone involved.”
The Our Lady of Pillar Council will also play a pivotal role in the numerous retreats, camps and events hosted at the Santiago Retreat Center. With facilities including low ropes courses, hiking trails, firepits, sport courts and the unique Shroud Center, the retreat center is a hub of activity for faithbased and educational events throughout the year.
The chartering ceremony for the Our Lady of Pillar Council took place on July 25 and included a special Mass and a formal exemplification of the charter members.
For more information about the Santiago Trade School, the Santiago Retreat Center or the new Knights of Columbus Our Lady of Pillar Council, please contact Mayra Brown, mayra@santiagoretreatcenter.org C
THE SANTIAGO TRADE SCHOOL RECENTLY ANNOUNCED THE CHARTERING OF A NEW KNIGHTS OF COLUMBUS COUNCIL, CALLED THE OUR LADY OF PILLAR COUNCIL, AT THE SANTIAGO RETREAT CENTER. PHOTOS COURTESY OF THE SANTIAGO RETREAT CENTER
THE CHARTERING CEREMONY FOR THE OUR LADY OF PILLAR COUNCIL TOOK PLACE ON JULY 25 AND INCLUDED A SPECIAL MASS AND A FORMAL EXEMPLIFICATION OF THE CHARTER MEMBERS.
THE OUR LADY OF PILLAR COUNCIL WILL BE DEDICATED TO SUPPORTING THE MISSION OF THE SANTIAGO TRADE SCHOOL WHICH COMBINES RIGOROUS TRADE EDUCATION WITH STRONG CATHOLIC VALUES.
THE OUR LADY OF PILLAR COUNCIL WILL BE UNDER THE LEADERSHIP OF SIR KNIGHTS JEFFRY RICE (PICTURED) AND MARK PADILLA.
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The Problem: Aging in place is truly complex
1 in 5 Californians will be age 65 or older, according to the nonprofit Public Policy Institute of California. The state will be facing a shortage of as many as care workers by then.
The US is facing an epidemic of senior loneliness and social isolation which is associated with about 50% increased risk of dementia and other serious medical conditions. NASEM reported that more than 30% of adults aged 45 feel lonely, and nearly one-fourth of adults aged 65 and older are considered to be socially isolated.
Home Care Pulse’s 2023 Benchmarking Report states that Home Care Industry's turn-over rate soars to 77.1%
Caregivers are overworked and undervalued. The Low Wages, Lack of Benefits, Recognition and Appreciation, Limited Career Advancement are a huge driving force for workers to go “gray" and gray workforce is becoming a growing problem for the long-term care industry, PHI National estimates that there are 4.6 million direct care workers nationally.
THE EUCHARIST THROUGH A CARDIOLOGIST’S EYES: FOUNDATIONS OF FAITH
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JOSE CACERES CELEBRATES HIS FIRST HOLY COMMUNION, CIRCA 1956. PHOTO COURTESY OF DR. JOSE CACERES
BY DR. JOSE CACERES
I1-800-364-3064 및
’LL BE THE FIRST to admit that the sterile and highly controlled atmosphere of a cardiac catheterization lab doesn’t inherently lend itself to reflection. Yet, in the delicate silence of this high-stakes setting—where every
movement must be precise, and one small error could be tragic — I often find myself contemplating the profound mysteries of faith. It’s following these moments of intense concentration, where the line between life and death is so thin, that my thoughts naturally drift
CONTINUES ON PAGE 11
DR.
to the deeper meaning of the work I do. As a cardiologist with over four decades of experience, I’ve come to realize that the heart is more than just a muscle; it’s a symbol of something greater. My name is Dr. Joe Caceres, and my journey has been one of bridging two worlds often seen as disparate: the realm of scientific inquiry and the domain of religious faith.
CHILDHOOD IN PERU
My Catholic roots in Peru were nurtured by a vibrant tradition, passionate devotion and a community whose connections went far beyond the usual social fabric. As a “cradle Catholic,” my earliest memories are steeped in the rhythms of parish life—the tolling of church bells,
the scent of incense wafting through the air and the reverent hush that fell over the congregation as the priest elevated the Host during consecration.
My First Holy Communion remains etched in my memory as a moment of profound wonder and joy. I still remember the weight of the occasion, even if my young mind couldn’t fully grasp the theological depth of the sacrament at
the time. The solemnity, coupled with the palpable excitement of my family, impressed upon me the centrality of the Eucharist to our faith.
In the Trujillo of my youth, faith wasn’t just a Sunday obligation; it permeated every aspect of daily life. Fiestas honoring patron saints transformed our streets into vibrant expressions of devotion. Neighbors gathered to pray novenas, their voices rising in unison, a testament to the communal nature of our faith. The Eucharist, celebrated daily in our parish church, served as the heartbeat of our spiritual life, a source of strength and unity for all who partook.
My father’s role as a rector of the Cursillo de Cristiandad and co-founder of an organization called Save Our Lives deeply influenced my early understanding of faith in action. Each week, our family participated in collecting donations for those in need, igniting in me a strong desire to serve others. These early experiences of faith and service would soon intertwine with a new calling, one that would shape the course of my life in ways I couldn’t have imagined.
These foundational experiences in Peru laid the groundwork for the integration of faith and science that would come to define my life’s work. They instilled in me not only a profound respect for the Eucharist, which remains at the heart of my spiritual life even decades later, but also the belief that the mysteries of faith and the discoveries of science are two sides of the same coin. As I moved forward, this deep-seated faith guided me toward a vocation that, though different from the priesthood, allowed me to serve God by exploring the intricate design of His creation—finding in the heart of medicine the same divine truth that I found in the heart of the Eucharist.
This is the first installment in a series of articles by Dr. Caceres. In the next article, he will explore how his journey led him from considering the priesthood to pursuing a career in medicine, and how this decision deepened his understanding of both faith and science. C
DR. JOSE CACERES IS A CARDIOLOGIST PRACTICING IN BUENA PARK. PHOTO COURTESY OF DR. JOSE CACERES
GETTING TO KNOW YOU:
JOAN PATTEN, DELEGATE FOR CONSECRATED LIFE IN THE DIOCESE OF ORANGE
BY REBECCA NASSAR
WITH SO MANY different groups coming together in the Catholic Church, it’s important to have someone who can navigate these relationships and bring these groups closer together. Joan Patten, Delegate for Consecrated Life, maintains these relationships and acts as a bridge between religious communities within the Diocese of Orange. OC Catholic recently spoke to Joan about her role and how she serves the community. Answers may be edited for length or clarity.
Q: Your role is important to maintaining a harmonious relationship between individuals in consecrated life, members of the clergy and members of the Diocese. Why do you believe it’s important that this relationship is continued and strengthened?
A: I can sum up my responsibility as the one who 1) helps the local bishop be in relationship with the various religious communities and consecrated men and women in the Diocese of Orange. Our support assists the religious community with their particular mission and care for their members. It includes helping answer questions about paperwork, visiting communities and supporting local superiors. 2) I also support the religious communities by advertising their events and collaborating with them, primarily for vocational discernment.
Q: You provide support and guidance to young adults who are discerning a vocation in consecrated life. What’s the most important piece of advice you’ve given someone who’s considering a vocation in consecrated life?
A: Learn how to pray! This means learning to notice the thoughts, feelings
and desires that directly impact your relationship with God. Prayer is a relationship, and the more we share with Jesus in prayer, the more certain we’ll be of God’s love for us. My advice for discerners is to learn how to pray and how to be a disciple of Jesus by spending time with Him. Ask priests, consecrated men and women, parish ministers or our office for guidance. We can help you learn how to pray, but it’s Jesus who will reveal the Father’s will to you.
Q: What does the Pro Sanctity Retreat Center do for the people of the Diocese, and how does it serve as a place of personal and spiritual growth?
A: I am a consecrated member of the secular institute of the Apostolic Oblates. The Pro Sanctity Spirituality Center is part of the apostolate of my institute. My responsibility as the delegate for consecrated life is my “day job,” but my life as an Apostolic Oblate is my vocation. Our mission is to promote and foster the universal call to holiness, especially to the laity in daily life. We do this through the work of the Pro Sanctity Movement, which is a lay movement in the Church that strives to respond to God’s call of holiness and proclaim His infinite love to others.
Q: What inspires and motivates you when carrying out your day-to-day work as Delegate for Consecrated Life?
A: As a member of a secular institute, the Catechism of the Catholic Church says that my call is to be like leaven (or yeast) in the world, operating as yeast does in bread; it makes it rise. I am called to sanctify the Church and the world from within. In my role as delegate for consecrated life, I get to support, animate and contribute to the missions of all the religious communities in the Diocese of Orange with my prayer, presence and active support. I enjoy meeting with young adults and directing them to Jesus who has a great plan for them!
Q: Who’s your favorite saint
and why?
A: A few of my top favorites include St. Padre Pio and St. Therese of Lisieux. These saints have taught me to pray as I read their writings and prayers. Their example of trust in God’s love for them as they drew near to His heart inspires me to greater love and trust. Servant of God Guglielmo Giaquinta, the founder of the
Pro Sanctity Movement and the Apostolic Oblates, is also one of my favorite “saints in the making.” He wrote a beautiful prayer that begins with “Tell my Lord, that you love me, speak to my heart once again.” This prayer invited me while I was discerning my vocation, to trust in God’s love and go forward with courage and hope. C
JOAN PATTEN AND BISHOP KEVIN VANN CELEBRATE WORLD DAY FOR CONSECRATED LIFE IN FEBRUARY 2022.
PHOTO BY MARISA TRUJILLO/DIOCESE OF ORANGE
JOAN PATTEN, DELEGATE FOR CONSECRATED LIFE IN THE DIOCESE OF ORANGE. PHOTO BY DREW KELLEY/ DIOCESE OF ORANGE
ST. JOSEPH CATHOLIC SCHOOL PRINCIPAL JOINS NATIONAL NIGHT OUT IN PLACENTIA
BY MRS. AMANDA HAWLEY, M.ED., PRINCIPAL OF ST. JOSEPH CATHOLIC SCHOOL
IHAD A FANTASTIC TIME attending the National Night Out event in the City of Placentia on Tuesday, Aug. 6. This annual event is a wonderful opportunity for local organizations like ours to connect with residents and show support for our local police department.
For me, the evening was about more than just promoting St. Joseph Catholic School; it was about building stronger ties with our community and showing appreciation for the police officers who keep us safe. As the wife of a police officer, I truly understand and value the hard work and dedication of our first responders. Supporting our first responders is crucial. It’s important for our students and families to see the strength in community partnerships and the positive impact we can collectively make.
Belinda Espinoza, Enrollment and Marketing Coordinator for the Diocese of Orange, joined me at the event, supporting and promoting Catholic education. Together, we chatted with attendees, sharing information about what makes St. Joseph Catholic School special and the benefits of a Catholic education. Our participation in National Night Out is part of our ongoing mission to promote evangelization and bring exposure to Catholic education within the community.
The event was also a blast for our children. At our booth they enjoyed playing games, doing crafts and writing heartfelt thank-you notes to our police officers, expressing their gratitude and appreciation. These activities not only engaged the kids but also helped them understand the importance of community and support.
One of the highlights of the evening was the Placentia Police Department’s impressive demonstrations of their SWAT,
NATIONAL NIGHT OUT IS AN OPPORTUNITY FOR LOCAL ORGANIZATIONS TO CONNECT WITH RESIDENTS AND SHOW SUPPORT FOR THE LOCAL POLICE DEPARTMENT.
K9 and motor units. These demonstrations were exciting and educational, giving everyone a firsthand look at the skills and capabilities of our local law enforcement.
Overall, the National Night Out event was a huge success, showcasing the unity
and spirit of the Placentia community. St. Joseph Catholic School is committed to its mission of academic excellence, spiritual growth and community involvement, always striving to make a positive difference in the lives of our students and the wider community.
By taking part in events like National Night Out, we at St. Joseph Catholic School reinforce our role as a cornerstone of faith-based education and community support, living out the values of faith, excellence, respect and discipleship. C
AMANDA HAWLEY, PRINCIPAL OF ST. JOSEPH SCHOOL IN PLACENTIA, ATTENDED THE ANNUAL NATIONAL NIGHT OUT EVENT IN THE CITY. PHOTOS COURTESY OF BELINDA ESPINOZA
LETTING JESUS LOOK AT YOU
BY JOAN PATTEN, AO
“ASTEP OR TWO BEFORE the place where I am to contemplate or meditate, I will stand for the space of an Our Father and, with my consciousness raised on high, consider how the Lord my God looks upon me.”
This instruction is how St. Ignatius of Loyola began his prayers and guided others with his spiritual exercises. His brilliant advice from the 16th century is even more essential for us now in our modern times.
A brief consideration of history can trace our modern regression of excessive self-contemplation and selfish behavior as early as the 1960s. This era sanctioned “self-fulfillment” over moral obligations and service to others. Psychological entitlement, self-help books and overuse of technology and social media are consequences of this self-absorbed reality that our culture continues to esteem. As a result, we have never witnessed so many depressed, anxious and lonely people or experienced this in such a way ourselves until these modern times.
Society also tells us that belief in God and religious practices, such as worship and following the Ten Commandments, are private matters and should be kept to one’s self. This current alienation from God and from others forces us to turn inward for answers. We were made to be seen, known and loved, and we need others to come to know ourselves. Jesus knows us because He is facing us.
During a retreat I attended years ago, a priest shared: “In the 1970s and 1980s, there was a common saying, ‘Jesus loves us just the way we are.’ But they put a period at the end of the phrase instead of a comma. The reality is Jesus loves us just the way we are, but He doesn’t want to leave us there because we are meant
to see Him face-to-face; where He is and where I am now won’t cut it! In Heaven, we will see as we are seen.”
Notice that St. Ignatius does not direct us to consider that God looks upon us but how He looks upon us. God’s gaze is, and we personally experience His love, His call to conversion and discipleship by noticing the interior movements of our hearts. Thoughts, feelings and desires that directly impact our relationship with God and help us understand “where we are” and how God is inviting us to respond.
At times, we may feel the warmth of God’s love, our hearts lifting with joy under His gaze and we respond by returning the gaze with generosity and freedom. Yet, there are also moments when the thought of God looking at us makes us feel uncomfortable, afraid or ashamed. In these moments, we are invited to share whatever “comes up” in our hearts and bring these needs into a relationship with God. Our lives find
their true meaning when we look at Jesus, who is always looking at us. While we are always in God’s presence, He eagerly awaits our response and desires us to return His gaze as we receive the gift of Himself. One of the most transformative decisions we can make in this life, one that liberates us from self-absorption, is this: will I allow Jesus to look at me? What stirs in my heart when I do?
The Real Presence of the Eucharist draws us out of ourselves. Mass and Eucharistic adoration are not self-absorbing activities. Instead, these are moments in which the Lord comes to us, and we are invited to choose between being fully present and just being there. In the Mass, we not only look at Jesus, we receive Him, and He goes where we can’t, into all the areas of our life where we are tempted to be self-absorbed or seek meaning apart from God. Cultivate the desire to be seen by the Lord and let Him draw you to Himself. Everything is revealed in the loving gaze of God.C
ST. IGNATIUS, SCULPTURAL DECORATIONS OF THE BASILICA OF THE PALACE-CONVENT OF MAFRA, PORTUGAL CREDIT: ARK NEYMAN, SHUTTERSTOCK
OC Catholic Afar
Fr. Michael Fitzpatrick from St. John Neumann in Irvine led a pilgrimage to Poland with parishioners from St. John Neumann and St. Martin de Porres in Yorba Linda this past spring. The group is pictured inside St. Faustina Chapel at the Divine Mercy Sanctuary in Lagiewniki after Fr. Michael celebrated Mass.
We also visited:
Niepokalanów - the Franciscan Monastery in Teresin, Poland, founded by St. Maximilian Kolbe where he also started the Knights of the Immaculata, and years later, was arrested by Nazis and taken to Auschwitz.
Swinice Warckie - the church of St. Casimir that is the childhood parish of St. Faustina (Helena Kowalska) where she was baptized, received her first confession and First Holy Communion and attended Sunday Mass with her family. We also visited St. Faustina’s family home.
Czestochowa - the Jasna Gora Monastery that is home to the icon of Our Lady of Czestochowa, also called Our Lady of Jasna Gora or the Black Madonna where St. John Paul II made frequent visits throughout his life.
Wadowice - the birthplace of Karol Wojtyla (St. John Paul II).
Zakopane - the Shrine Church of Our Lady of Fatima that was funded and built by the town’s citizens in thanksgiving to Our Lady for protecting St John Paul II during the attempted assassination in 1981.
—Submitted by Mike Walz
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